Friday, December 31, 2010

January 1st I'll begin blogging about how to plan a long hike. Each week there will be a new subject, such as Choosing the Trail, The Budget, Gear, Getting In Condition, and more. If you have an idea or question you'd like to see addressed, please comment, or write.

As the week progresses, we'll delve into related issues, like once you choose a trail, how do you get there? Or, how much is it going to cost and how can I cut some corners?

I write about many things. The easiest way to find information about a topic is to use the Search this Blog box located to the right of the page.

is set up the same way. January will see more alternative gear ideas and demos on that blog.

The ten pages listed to the right are also written by me. The search box works with them as well.

Many cool links can be found on these pages. Links for gear companies, foods, vacations, cell phones. I don't necessarily list all of them on my Links Page because I usually post links on that page that are hard to find or of unusual nature.

Check out the Trail Planning Page for the compilation of information, and schedule of topics.

According to this chart, the chill on my body is near zero. This link will also take you to an actual calculator where you can plug in the numbers yourself. There is information on what it means in terms of frost bite, how it is determined, and much more.

This is a good indicator for full face coverage, sunglasses to protect against snow glare, and layers.

Happy Trails, and best wishes to any south bounders still out on the Appalachian Trail.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

I received an e-mail today warning me of the company which is trolling the Internet to find copyright infringements for the sole purpose of cashing in on them. Fines of up to $150,000 is possible for each infraction. This has been going on for sometime, and now images are being targeted as well.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

while reading a magazine. After surfing it for quite some time, I decided it was worth bookmarking. They describe themselves as "a friendly consumer finance site" and their partners offer up lots of news of great interest.

I like a website that doesn't have so many ads and banners running, just lots of headlines with good reading. Stuff that matters.

Especially in these hard economic times, when there are more questions than answers, a well run website is refreshing. Some articles I read this morning involved how to get the most from social security, start your own business, save money on products, rants on bad ads, health care issues, and several more.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

It was day light, and somehow the car began to speed up, traveling at least 80 mph. Someone yelled, "Slow that thing down!"

We swerved onto the grassy median strip, then back onto the highway, then into the far right lane.

Pushing the brake didn't help at all.

A semi truck was in front of us, seemed like I was the passenger.

To avoid rear ending the tractor trailer, we swerved to the right.

Right into a tall cement structure, like a bridge. When the car hit it, the front end crumpled into whiteness, and explosion. I expected to feel the pain. There was no doubt that we both had died. It was simply whiteness.

I felt numb, total body numbness.

I jerked awake.

I've been pondering this all day. The trailgods are warning me, I feel, not worry so much about the future. I have no idea what day, or how I will die.

My whole mantra health wise has been"do the best you can, and try not to get hit by a car".

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

These last few days have been busy. I've been learning how to safely and accurately use a pistol. After about 4 hours of classroom instruction, I went out to the range and shot a couple rounds. Happily, I was able to hit the target.

Then, I've been working on a new business idea. "Just because you can doesn't mean you should" is a quote that comes to mind.

I found another good quote in my research: "I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once" Jennifer Unlimited.

With unemployment at 10.3%, it may be necessary to create one's own job. I'm thinking about services for an aging population, a business that would grow with the needs I encounter with my clients.

According to the article, there are at least 500 vans operating now. Useful purposes, among them scanning for explosives, bodies, drugs and weapons, give law enforcement a logical line to anyone who questions privacy. After all, haven't Americans given up all rights just to fly safely? Our flight mates expect us to, quit complaining.

This is all just surface information. Its just the ground work. At what point will drive by scannings of neighborhoods become routine?

"Just checking for drug labs".

What else will be searched, when and why is yet to be uncovered.

As the wikileaks drama unfolds, we can see there's a lot going on behind the scenes, political embarrassments, and god knows what all.

Now this is news. Thanks for writing about something important, and not another story about the royal wedding, Tiger Woods scandal, or Britney Spears.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

One cannot divine nor forecast the conditions that will make happiness; one only stumbles upon them by chance, in a lucky hour ... Willa Cather

There is more to life than increasing its speed. ....Gandhi

These two quotes have inspired me to offer a challenge. To those who are planning their 2011 hikes, perhaps a thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, or the Appalachian Trail, I challenge you to give yourself at least 5 months to hike your trail, to discover and uncover the mysteries of your journey. Do not try to set speed records, or run the trail. Do not slack pack, or "yellow blaze" (hitch hike around difficult sections or to catch up to friends ahead).

Seems too much emphasis and awe are wasted on the fastest, lightest, biggest, best. Being on a long trail should be more than just an extension of the work life style, of competition and ego, macho tricks and bragging rights.Maybe we should be setting records for who can stay out the longest.

You may only get to do the trail once. May it bring you joy beyond your wildest dreams. There will be pain, and misery. But this also builds memories that will last a lifetime, memories to build upon.

Can we look at a government option, a plan whereby, like Medicare, we just pay into a central piggy bank, and get medical attention when we need it?

They've already warned us there won't be enough doctors to go around if this "universal health care" law remains unchanged.

Those of us who maintain their health and participate fully in preventative care may be forced to buy into the private insurance pool to enable all the sick people to not be rejected in the same pool. How many are sick because they are obese, won't give up smoking, won't get off the sofa, drink to excess, eat an appalling diet, and engage in risky life styles?

By giving the private insurance companies a sure thing, we either opt for the poverty route or work until age 65 in order to afford the ever rising cost of health insurance.

I am for a public option. Hard to believe that our government may come to the point of so obviously supporting the leeching of its citizens by corporations built upon the profit business model.

Just my two cents.

Hats off to the judge in Virginia, and its attorney general with the guts to say Congress does not have the right to legislate Non Activity of Commerce.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The mountains are making the weather today. While some places just south of here are getting rain, we're having some real snow. I went to check out my favorite place, the overhang, and was happy to find a nice dry area to play.

Friday, December 10, 2010

According to the news, the moon will also be a beautiful orange, and this will be free to enjoy by all of us in North America.

Some winter weather is expected to proceed this event here in the North Georgia mountains. I'm hoping we get snow instead of ice. I'm thinking an evening making coffee over a campfire under the overhang while watching the snow fall would be good, clean, Free fun.

The simple things in life are often taken for granted. How many will be buying those last minute Christmas gifts to wrap and place around a tree? Hopefully, those gifts will be appreciated and used in the year to come.

In this economy, things are looking pretty uncertain. Who knows what 2011 will bring. Probably best not to go into debt giving frivalous gifts.

Express your love to family and friends by giving the gift of your time, your approval, your attention. Enjoy some free fun together and give the gift of pleasant memories.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

A commitment bordering on obsession, one that an armchair analyst may find ridiculous.

Mountain climbers in Alaska share many traits as those who thru hike the Appalachian Trail, or set off on the Pacific Crest Trail .

First, we must want it so bad as to endure seperation from loved ones, common luxuries of plentiful food and warmth, uncertainty of daily outcomes and pain. Never forget there is and will be physical pain.

In these endeavors, a person tends to overestimate their own strength, while underestimating nature. There is a definite nonchalance with the Forces that Be. Perhaps our suffering may amuse the trail gods. It is necessary to look at the long term goal and not expect any god to assist us.

As the passion seeps into every crevase of our life, we eat, read, dream of our obsession. There is advice from every corner, some which is based on fear, not reality.

Jonathan Waterman, the author of In the Shadow of Denali, proclaims we must want it for ourself, it is enough to stand on the summit because we want it. Hiking for breast cancer, heart desease, the children's happiness fund is not necessary. Not even recommended.

Own up to being obsessed with the mountain, the trail, the journey. Do the necessary work of preparation.

Once committed, and becoming driven to act on it, a person has a good chance of making it.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

I've found some discussions on ultralighter's vs minimalism with the survival theory in mind.

Its amazing how misunderstood the true Ultralighter is.

And, how overlooked the necessary skill-building and trail-tested period is. Building skills as an ultralight backpacker is a journey. Don't expect to just arrive because of reading. You arrive by doing.

I hiked with a guy on the Appalachian Trail for awhile up in New Hampshire.

The mere fact we were running across trail magic in the form of serious food stashes, coolers set out for thru hikers, and handouts seemed to make too much impact on him. He started carrying way too little food. He resupplied in Gorham, and what he bought ran out two days early.

Now, when I see my food stash getting low, I either pile on the miles, or do half rations. Our body can live off fat stored inside, but our minds need to know all is well and we are in control. Hence a meal, no matter how skimpy, how thin the oatmeal, needs to happen.

Blood sugar levels are kept within limits with smaller, rather than no calorie, installations.

I found out this guy had run out of food when he nearly fell over. I asked what's up? He said he ran out of food. He told about being in special forces back in his youth, a long time ago, and knew how to hike on nothing for 20 miles.

I had just enough to spare, but it meant getting into town earlier next morning.

Better believe he bought me lunch.

Moral of the story, when estimating food needs for a section of trail, plan regular mileage days and enough calories. If things go bad and its taking longer, stretch the food by doing 3/4 rations earlier, rather than later. Use water to thin out the soup, the oatmeal, eat only half a candy bar.

A real ultra lighter never needs bailing out.

Sometimes we take that gift of a snickers bar, but its gravy, not life or death.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

My hiking poles and gloves on the rock sort of give a visual reference on how large this Almost Cave-Overhanging Rock is.

Years ago I was hiking on a cold rainy day in March on the Trail of Tears in Southern Illinois. It was a great hike, but being my first backpacking trip, the gear wasn't exactly right. My kids and I had ponchos, not quite large enough, and the sleeves of my shirt were getting wet cause I was using hiking poles.

It was pretty cold, and we came upon a cave with a bunch of dry firewood stashed in the back of it. I'd call that trail magic today, then I just called it luck.

We made a big fire, had lunch, dried out, explored. Then, before heading out, we pulled in a bunch of wood to replace what we'd used so that it could dry out for the next travelers.

That lesson in good fortune stuck with me. A sort of Pay it Forward trail magic. Not using up everything, or leaving our trash behind, the karma we make is the karma we take with us.

A couple months ago, I found this huge overhanging rock shelter in my neck of the woods. Its a steep climb down to water from here, but its my favorite spot now. I stashed a bunch of wood today so that if someone happens upon it and needs a fire, there's dry wood.

To Build a Fire, a short story I read today, taught me several lessons as well as caused me to turn up the heat.

The man is traveling through the snow with his husky, and knowing its bitterly cold, takes his precautions. Plenty of matches, some food, dressed warm. Yet, even though an old timer has warned him, he travels without another human in sub 50 below temps. At first it goes well, and he inwardly brags he is the Real man, wimps need companions.

Eventually, he breaks through to a random spring water outlet, becomes wet to the knees, and must build a fire to thaw out. He builds it under a pine tree, laden with snow. Yes, the snow decides to fall and put out the fire just when its finally roaring. Note to self, don't build fires in winter where snow can fall on top of it.

Pitifully, we "watch" as the drama unfolds to tragedy and all his matches are used up. He sees the dog in fine shape, and decides to kill him for his temporary warmth. Happily, he can not accomplish this task because he is too frozen to grasp a knife or strangle him.

In the end, he dies, the dog lives.

Check out Jack London's works if you get a chance. Good winter reading.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

A four season tent, it seems to have all the best features, especially the double door on each end. Anyone who has hiked with a partner for any length of time will tell you how sweet it is to each have their own door and vestibule for those cold rainy days. The double doors also provide flow through ventilation.

Its really nice not having to climb over your partner and sleeping parallel to your own vestibule is much better than the tunnel type configuration where you crawl out at the head or foot end.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

I made some pole repair sleeves for a dome tent today. My hiking pole was busted and not worth repairing. When the pole for the dome tent broke, I sawed the saved middle section of my old hiking pole into a 4.5 inch length, and sanded it with steel wool.

Making sure there were no sharp edges on my repair sleeve, I threaded it onto the pole and over the break. I then eased the pole back into a dome configuration. Back in business.

I seldom carry dome tents. The one I'm working with now is a winter tent, sent to me for gear testing. It is a South Col,by High Peak, and other than the broken pole, I am quite impressed with the size and features. A full initial report will be posted at:

Monday, November 22, 2010

A burn test of these fuel cubes I made yesterday gave me an astonishing 23.5 minutes.

For camping or survival, this is fine. As an ultra lighters cooking fuel, its overkill. Today I made another tray of cubes, a little smaller.

Other notes from this burn test:

Use the bottom of a soda can stove, with enough clearance to your cooking pot. These cubes were a little tall for my initial arrangement, which meant my pot smothered it a little. That eventually righted itself when the cube burned down.

I will cut a soda can down for this sole purpose, and can burn it inside a single layer aluminum can. One inch tall should be about right.

Take care the wax doesn't melt and overflow the well, which can put a burnable substance on the shelter floor or your camping area. For that reason, I'd move dry leaves, grasses or duff away from this stove as well as any other stove.

Several sizes of cubes would come in handy depending on the needs. I haven't tried to extinguish one and then relight it, but that should work if necessary, if enough wax is left to hold the cube together.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we've tested using an ice cube tray as a mold for forming home made fuel sticks, which really should be called cubes. I love them. Easy to remove after allowing to fully cool overnight, they are solid, compact, and of uniform consistency. Easy to make too.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Today I was getting ready for my morning hike. Planning on some bushwacking, some sitting around enjoying views, listening to my mp3 player.

But, suddenly, a uproarious barking was heard, at least three different positions. Unusual. It is Saturday, hunting season, and we are surrounded by National Forest. OK, there's bound to be hunters out today, with dogs. There's a least one momma bear and her rollypolly cub, one Daddy bear, one doe and her fawn, and a couple coyotes in these woods. Maybe those dogs have scared something up.

No signs of life other than a discarded fast food breakfast wrapper, a couple dislodged rocks.

I practiced climbing a pine tree, just in case a crazy bunch of dogs or coyotes came round the bend. Last thing you want to do is fall with that endeavor and end up on the ground. Chose your tree carefully.

Its good to feel a measure of power, or capablity of self defense. Too much bad news lately, wild animal attacks, people getting desperate.

Friday, November 19, 2010

This Thanksgiving Center Piece is Free for the making. Take one vase. If you don't have one, visit your local thrift store and choose an appropriate vase. I found this one for ten cents.

Next, take a walk in the woods. I choose five different naturally occurring plants, all of which had different textures and varying heights.

I loved the feathery lightness of this "weed" with its long thin leaves. A good color base for the warmth of harvest time. Then, blackberry vine changing colors gave the red highlight to complement the green in the mountain laurel clipping and one sprig of pine.

This is a wonderful family project, refreshing and earth friendly.

I was watching the evening news last night and they did a story on "affordable" decorations for the holidays. A $40 center piece was touted as a great deal.

Weird, hunh, with all the traveling I like to do. But, then I ran across this new YouTube video and he kinda says it all. I like my freedom. I like food, but not all the greasy stuff. I like entertainment, which usually falls into the Wilderness Variety. Crowds make me nervous. I get sea sick.

Looking for information, real life videos of the last cruise mishap brought insight into why I have never been on a cruise. Like the guy in the video above, That's just me.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Today I grabbed my "possibles " bag and headed out for a morning of bushwhacking and exploration. Knowing I'd be passing a good stream, I left the water bottle at home and used this silnylon bag on a silnylon strap as my possibles bag.

Its easy when day hiking to find something of interest. It could be acorns to taste, mica for my art sculptures, or dry rotted log for alternative fuel sticks.

As I dry out these wood scraps I plan how to shape these into fuel sticks, much like those made of wood chips and paraffin and sold as solid campfire sticks at backpacking or gear stores.

While hiking on the Colorado Trail, we came to a small trail town and I could not find any fuel for my soda can stove. I've used denatured alcohol, 90% rubbing alcohol, 70% rubbing alcohol, and HEET. To burn solid fuel tablets like Hexamine or Esbit, I've turned it over and burned them on the bottom side.

None of these potential fuels were available in town. However, I found a package of Coghlan's Fire Sticks. I broke them into 3-4 inch pieces and used them as solid fuel on the bottom of the stove. Hint, never use a solid fuel in the soda can stove well, which is designed for liquids only. It will clog up the uptake holes in the bottom of the well.

If you must, cut off a soda can and use it that way for burning all kinds of fuels, both liquid and solid.It won't be as efficient with liquid fuels because there is no pressurization going on, but it is readily available.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Food for thought:"For instance, women who are raised in families that are not accepting of their gifts often set off on tremendously big quests-over and over, and they do not know why. They feel they must have three Ph.Ds, or that they have to hang upside down from Mt. Everest, or that they must execute all manner of dangerous, time-consuming and money-eating endeavors to try to prove to their families that they have worth".

I found this quote when sorting books to sell on my amazon.com sellers account. Never wanting to get buried by Stuff, I sell, recycle, give away, or refurbish things I'm done with. I had this book marker with the quote from the book, Women Who Run With the Wolves.

Its food for thought. Not all women who are driven to crazy endeavors or extremes were raised in such judgemental environments. Yet, those that were hate to admit that is what drives them.I recommend this book to all women, though, and it can get fairly heavy in telling fairy tales and legends.

Today I found three more books to add to my collection:

The Best Western Stories (22 stories by various renown authors)

10 Rules to Break & 10 Rules to Make, by Bill Quain, PH.D.

When Battered Women Kill, by Angela Browne

All three books cost me a total of $1.00. Yup, just one buck, for all three and they are in excellent shape. Visit your local thrift store and see what you can find! Happy Reading.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

There's a lot of press right now about obesity. Seems no matter how many new diets, medications, reality shows or make overs, we Americans are just getting fatter. There are many illnesses linked directly to obesity.

I watched a news story about the calories in a Fun Meal at leading fast food restaurants. A kid's Happy Meal had over 500 calories. It was full of sugar, fat and came with a free toy. Then there's the free play ground. Is it any wonder that obesity is threatening to over take us?

Food is the focus of the holidays as well. The huge Thanksgiving glut fest, the Christmas goodies shipped to family and friends, and mountains of candy surrounding every given holiday is coming back to haunt us.

I fear we're getting sicker by the day from our food.

I think its time to just have wholesome meals. No big fan fare or appetite stimulants like added sugars and fats. No special decorations or eating contests.

Holidays should be celebrated with dancing, music, art festivals. With family gatherings and story telling.

Lets get back to good sound eating, simple, short and sweet. We don't need to make it the center of our lives.